Modular optical memory card image display point of sale terminal

Abstract

A modular point-of-sale image display terminal combines magnetic stripe and optical card technology to ensure compatibility with existing networking systems while permitting images stored on the optical card to be decoded and displayed in order to provide additional security for sales and other transactions or services which require authentication of the card and/or verification of the identity of the cardholder. The design of the terminal is modular, permitting flexibility for different applications and simple upgradeability. In addition, the terminal is provided with modem communications while also being capable of functioning as a stand-alone terminal.

We claim: 
     
       1. A modular integrated optical card reader/transaction processing terminal useable as a stand-alone terminal for on-site identity verification and transaction processing, comprising: a housing;   means including an optical memory card reader in the housing for enabling on-site identity verification without the need for remote communications by retrieving an image stored on an optical memory card together with information necessary to retrieve and display the image;   display means in said housing for displaying said image and other instructions and data processed by a microprocessor in said housing; and   means including a microprocessor in the housing for controlling said optical memory card reader and additional transaction, and for processing said information retrieved from said optical memory card so that it can be displayed, thereby eliminating the need for using said remote communications to perform said on-site verification.   
     
     
       2. A terminal as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transaction processing means further comprises a printer. 
     
     
       3. A terminal as claimed in claim 1, wherein said interface board includes a modem. 
     
     
       4. A terminal as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a magnetic stripe reader mounted in the housing. 
     
     
       5. A terminal as claimed in claim 1, wherein said terminal is a point-of-sale terminal. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means including communications port for enabling said additional transaction devices to carry-out remote communications while still enabling said image to be displayed without the need for said remote communications. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus for enabling a card reader to be used for on-site transaction processing and identity verification, comprising: a chassis divided into a compartment for housing an optical memory card reader, a compartment for housing a power supply, and a compartment for housing a plurality of removable circuit boards, including a main circuit board on which is mounted a microprocessor;   means including an optical memory card reader in the housing for enabling on-site identity verification without the need for remote communications by retrieving an image stored on an optical memory card together with information necessary to decrypt and display the image;   a case which fits over the chassis and which forms an upper compartment for housing a printer and to which is mounted an image display device for displaying said image; and   a keypad which includes a plurality of keys accessible through said case for entering data and commands to be processed by said microprocessor,   wherein said case includes a slot through which a magnetic strip reader may be accessed, a further slot through which a printed receipt is retrieved from said printer, and a plurality of openings for data communications ports, said magnetic strip reader being connected through said data communications ports to a communications network to enable data on said strip to be remotely verified, said microprocessor carrying-out all processing operations necessary for display of said image stored on the optical memory card so that on-site verification can be carried out even when said terminal is not connected to a communications network.   
     
     
       8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said display is an LCD display pivotally mounted as a discrete unit on said case. 
     
     
       9. A modular integrated optical card reader/transaction processing terminal useable as a stand-alone terminal for on-site identity verification and transaction processing, comprising: a housing;   an optical memory card reader in the housing including means for retrieving and decrypting an encrypted image stored on an optical memory card, said image when displayed enabling verification of the identity of the card holder by a viewer of the displayed image without the need for remote communications;   means for removably mounting additional transaction processing devices in said housing as necessary;   display means in said housing for displaying said decrypted image and other instructions and data processed by a microprocessor in said housing, said microprocessor including means for controlling said optical memory card reader and decrypting said image entirely based on information and instructions stored in said optical memory card or components contained within said housing so that said identity verification can be performed without said remote communications;   a keypad in said housing which forms means for entering data and commands to be processed by said microprocessor.   
     
     
       10. A terminal as claimed in claim 9, further comprising means for mounting a printer in said housing. 
     
     
       11. A terminal as claimed in claim 9, further comprising an interface board and a plurality of input/output connectors. 
     
     
       12. A terminal as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a magnetic strip reader mounted in the housing. 
     
     
       13. A terminal as claimed in claim 9, wherein said display is an LCD display pivotally mounted as a discrete unit on said housing.